Vietnam vet presented with diploma 52 years later

Jim Fun shows off the Manheim Central High School diploma that he received in May.

James Funk thought he was accompanying Judge Jeffery Wright of the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County to a May 22 Manheim Central School Board meeting to discuss the county’s Veteran Court with the board. Instead the 70-year-old Vietnam vet was presented with his high school diploma. He also received a standing ovation from the school board and those in attendance, who included relatives, friends and other Veterans Court participants.

“I was really surprised to see all the people that were there for me,” Funk said.

“It was a special night,” said Manheim Central superintendent Peter Aiken.

A baby-faced Jim Funk (center, sitting in Jeep) is shown in this photo from his time in the Marines in Vietnam. Regarding the cans of beer, Funk said that at his base, soldiers were allowed two beers per day, so they would save them up. In the second photo, Funk (right) poses with friend and fellow Marine, Harwin Walger, who had been drafted at the time of the Vietnam War.

Funk, who would have graduated in 1965, explained that he left high school to join the Marines on March 1, 1964. His family had a history of service with the Marine Corps; Funk had an uncle in the Marines, and his older brother, Larry, joined in 1956.

“I was nine years old at that time, and I knew then that I wanted to be a Marine,” he said. “In high school I wasn’t a very good student, and I felt the Marine Corps would be better for me, maybe straighten me out.”

After basic training, he was stationed in Vieques, Puerto Rico, before getting orders for Vietnam. There he did a tour and a half (19 months) in Chu Lai as a truck driver with the Third Marine Division Free Logistics Group, a support group. Funk said the group’s mission was to deliver supplies.

“We would go on convoys to deliver food, bulk fuel, ammunition &tstr; anything other troops would need in the field,” he said.

Funk received orders to come home Nov. 27, 1967, and after deciding not to re-enlist was discharged March 1, 1968. Like many Vietnam vets, he didn’t get the warm welcome home that returning soldiers from previous wars and conflicts did, or solders today who return from tours in Iraq and Afghanistan do.

“That was the ‘60s, and there were a lot or protests about Vietnam,” he explained adding that he’s glad that today’s returning warriors get the recognition they deserve for serving their country.

In recognition of that lack of welcoming homecoming for Vietnam vets, as he presented Funk with his diploma Aiken said, “Welcome home.”

“I thought that was great,” Funk said.

After Funk returned home, he earned his GED.

He lives in Manheim and is an ardent supporter of Manheim Central sports.

“He’s a Baron through and through,” Judge Jeffery Wright said.

Funk met Wright when he was charged with DUI in 2015 and was accepted into Veteran’s Court Dec. 31, 2015. Wright has presided over the county’s Veterans Court since it was established five years ago. This special court is for honorably discharged veterans who have been charged with any felony or misdemeanor with the exception of homicide or registerable sex offenses.

“We have close supervision of individuals in this court,” Wright explained.

Funk said that the experience with Veteran’s Court has changed his life.

Shacks were built for the marines while serving in Vietnam

“We all work together and have each other’s back. Veterans Court taught me to be responsible for myself. This month it’s been 22 months since I had a drink,” he proudly said in early July.

He also pointed out that last year, at the urging of a Veterans Court mentor, he visited the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C., for the first time. He found eight names of soldiers that he knew.

“It was hard for me but I got through it with other members of Veterans Court at my side,” Funk said.

Veterans Court is comprised of an entire team including Wright, a probation officer, any needed treatment providers and a veterans mentor. Wright said that he had supervision of Funk for a year.

“As we got to the end of the program, his probation officer told me that one of his issues was that he never received his high school diploma. I reached out to some associates to see if there was a way to resolve that, and then I contacted Manheim Central’s superintendent,” Wright said, adding that it was a recognition that Funk had earned.

Jim Funk (front) and fellow Marines in Vietnam.

Aiken said it took several months to finalize he presentation.

“We did a lot of research and even ordered an official diploma,” Aiken said.

After the diploma presentation, Funk, his family and Veterans Court members had a graduation celebration, complete with cake and a cap and gown made for Funk by his oldest daughter, Lori Flowers.

“After receiving the diploma I felt complete,” Funk concluded.

Rochelle Shenk is a correspondent for the Lititz Record Express. She welcomes your comments and questions at RAASHENK@aol.com.